jerroc wrote:Please understand I do not care weather a person wants to wear clothes or not. It Really does not matter to me. I only stated I understand there are people who disagree with these ideas and if it is in there power they will try to change it. I prefer my clothes on so this enforcement will not effect me. I don't see making people wear clothes as a 1st amendment violation so I don't feel my rights are taken away. If other people feel differently I have no problem with that either.

my feelings aren't directed at you. it's the situation that has me pissed.

this is my first burn. i'm a nudist so i was really looking forward to a no-hassle, clothes-free experience

I'm betting the odds of getting fined for public nudity this year are pretty much nil.

Someone else in another thread made a good suggestion. If you have doubts about how LEOs will react to nudity, just talk to a ranger when you get there and ask them how LEOs have been treating nudity so far. I'd also add to that to listen in to BMIR, since it would undoubtedly be mentioned if it was an issue this year. But I highly doubt there'll be a problem.

"I will not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. I will face my fear. I will let it pass through me. Where the fear has gone, there shall be nothing. Only I will remain."

steve.t.sullivan wrote: If you have doubts about how LEOs will react to nudity,

Now see, one thing about nudity at Burning Man is that every damn person in that place is well aware that there is nudity at Burning Man and has chosen to attend despite that. What is the most used phrase to describe Burning Man? Naked hippie drug orgy in the desert. So we can assume that anyone there who's either bought or volunteered their time to get a ticket is well aware of the possibility of nudity and doesn't have a problem with it.

Except there may be one group of Burning Man attendees that isn't prepared to deal with the reality of a naked wang walking by every so often, and that group of people is the local law enforcement— naked, dancing undercovers excepted— I think it's pretty likely that most of them are there for that sweet, sweet overtime. Which is understandable given the tough economic times we find ourselves in.

So we have a bad situation here with cops coming to the event for perhaps the wrong reasons, who're really not mentally prepared to deal with the realities of what's considered acceptable attire and behavior in public and they're becoming sexually and mentally traumatized because of it. Those poor, delicate souls. And, you know, the sheriff and judges and whatever, they're just looking out for their boys in blue.

So my proposal would be, instead of providing the Pershing county law enforcement with a sweet camp and lots of money that they probably don't actually need since our little event is pretty non-violent given the population density, we'll offer a year of mental health counseling to those officers who wish to attend and enforce at the event. Free of charge even! If you know anything about psychologist fees, you'll know that this gift far exceeds the value of the fee's they wish to charge the org.

If I see someone getting cited for public nudity, I'm going to strip off my clothes right there in solidarity. I'm not kidding, I think that would be a great tactic, for anyone witnessing another burner getting cited to join them in nudity. I'm not even a nudist, I've been naked on the playa only when showering, but goddammit, people should be able to express themselves freely out there.

vargaso wrote:In my opinion, the Black Rock Desert is integral to Burning Man. Many of the features of the event originated organically in response to the playa's features. Easy (most years) biking is crucial. Just the concept of a literal blank slate is important. Burning Man could move, but the event would change dramatically, which is neither good nor bad, I suppose.

Sounds like Alvord desert in Oregon then?

Exactly what I was thinking! Steens in the background, yay.

Some years ago when the local law was getting uppity, there were discussions of moving to a new location, and a few reservations were interested in taking us in. Baja would work too.

I wouldn't be surprised if Pershing LEOs are enforcing even the tiniest enfractions this year.

If they are claiming that there is so much illegal stuff happening @ BM that they need to charge more than triple the actual cost of law enforcement.... I expect they will try to 'pad' the numbers from this year, to prove their point.

I have a real issue with the restrictions they want to place on BM, just because some bible thumper got his nickers in a twist. The festival is in the middle of nowhere.... Who cares about open alcohol containers or nudity, etc... (and I sat that as a non drinker, and someone who would never consider going nude myself) . You know what the atmosphere is before you go... If people don't like it, then they don't attend, or look away if a shirt-cocker runs by.

As for kids... I plan to take my son to BM in 2014 (if it still exists ). I have absolutely no concerns about the things he will see or experience there. I will prepare him for the physical environment, as well as give him an idea if he will see, including people who are intoxicated, naked, 'different' than he sees in the default world. As his mother, it's my responsibility to prepare him for the experience and to take care of him on the playa. The things he sees and experiences in his life are MY DECISION, NOT some asshat bureaucrat.

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Today is the Tomorrow you worried about Yesterday... now you know why.

peyote2004 wrote:If they are claiming that there is so much illegal stuff happening @ BM that they need to charge more than triple the actual cost of law enforcement.... I expect they will try to 'pad' the numbers from this year, to prove their point.

I would not be surprised if that were the case. That worries me a little because I wonder how much they're going to resort to outright harassment to give them excuses to detain people.

I dont think this is the worst case, worst case is Pershing county tacks on their fee, then Washoe County feels it necessary to charge some more, why not Humboldt county? BLM, NDOF? there are plenty of state, federal, county and municipal agencies that can line up. It is prudent business to defend your position so as to not become a target. To not do so makes them an easy target in the hard pressed Nevada economy as a source of income.

I would look hard at moving the event to a friendly economy, in an area that offers the same feel. My choice would not be on BLM land as the same caveats will simply follow them around. I have suggested the turf farms in Southern Oregon. these farmers would love to host BM, work with the county and state beforehand and set up a friendly atmosphere from day one. I am over simplifying it, but wouldnt BM here be a great pleasure?

Burning Man organizers have said those costs — above the roughly $1.5 million for the federal permit — could lead to the event being held elsewhere.

Also in the original lawsuit was a claim that the new festival ordinance limited the First Amendment rights of organizers. The new paperwork says the county is not trying to limit any type of activity or speech with its festival ordinance.

I'm the MAN in a truck, burner who is stuck, you're in luck! I'll whip out my BIG tow chain and not charge you, not even one lousy buck!